Report: Alistair Overeem remains tied to Strikeforce parent company

Some very interesting news has emerged regarding Alistair Overeem and his status within the Zuffa LLC family. Recent talk throughout the MMA world had been that Strikeforce had released Overeem after he claimed he was unable to compete in the semifinal round of the Strikeforce Grand Prix tournament due to an injured toe. Not so, according to a recent report from ESPN’s Josh Gross.

ESPN is reporting that Overeem has not been released by Forza LLC, the subsidiary of Zuffa that owns Strikeforce and that Overeem is “bound to exclusive and separate 120-day negotiation and matching periods with the Las Vegas-based promoter.” If ESPN’s sources are correct, Overeem could find his MMA career on hold while the negotiation and matching periods play out.

The ESPN story also states that Overeem has not been stripped of his Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship, Instead he “remains tied to the promotion via the so-called ‘champions clause,’ a common passage in fighter contracts that allows MMA promoters to maintain contractual rights to titleholders after their deals expire.” – For more from ESPN click here.

This news seems to indicate that Overeem’s future with the Zuffa owned fight promotions is far from officially over.

The semifinal round of the Strikeforce Grand Prix will take place on September 10 in Cincinnati, OH. Daniel Cormier will take Overeem’s place and face off against Antonio ‘Big Foot’ Silva. The winner of the Silva versus Cormier bout will meet the winner of the other semifinal bout between Josh Barnett and Sergei Kharitonov in the tournament finals.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/David-Saucier/ David Saucier

This is why I said Reem would fight in March, or April, with the UFC

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Joey-Santosus/ Joey Santosus

Yea, its just the customary period that Zuffa has to match any offers etc. Which, really doesn’t affect Overeem to much in the meantime because his current contract allowed him to fight elsewhere anyhow. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out, but at this point, if I was a betting man, I’d say Overeem is on his way to the octagon anyhow.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Trent-Reinsmith/ Trent Reinsmith

I would agree…I think it’s just a matter of time before he’s in the UFC, but who does he face?

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Dray12/ dray12

I was thinking the same thing, if not the champ, then perhaps Mir or Brock, or the winner of their rumoured 3rd bout (for a title shot). Or even Carwin if he gets a quick W under his belt. Can’t wait to see though.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Billy-Jack/ Billy Jack

Dana now knows that he made big mistake. Because of Dana’s mismanagement there will be another MMA promotion will rise.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Borealis19/ borealis19

The Reem vs Grand Prix winner would be a great fight…If the Reem wins, then a match-up with the UFC champ would be the logical thing to do…

http://lowkickmma.com/members/KeithFarrell/ KeithFarrell

If e doesn’t face thr Grand Prix winner or fight Fedor somewhere (don’t even know if that is possible right now) then he has to go to the UFC. He has no opponents anywhere else in the wrld to give him any trouble.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/David-Saucier/ David Saucier

It kind of Ironic though UFC cant sign him due to this match offering clause of a company that they own.

http://lowkickmma.com/members/Ryan-Ventura/ Ryan Ventura

The saga continues, I can’t wait to see him fight again, even better against the UFC’s best heavyweights!

http://lowkickmma.com/members/ChuteBoxeHero/ ChuteBoxeHero

I dont see him hanging with JDS at all.Cain,Mir,Brock,and Carwin would be interesting fights for him though.